The Unknown Consequences Of Our Lives

 This morning, on my way to the office, seating on that bike, like a rush of wind, came this thought to me "'what if I took the other bike? What would have happened?''

And from there, the thought spiraled into several other thoughts, '' what if I delayed some five minutes more?" "What if I wore another T-shirt?" "What if I decided to sit back at home today?" and many other 'what if's' I asked myself

After so many thoughts, I looked at life as an aggregate summation of our choices every day. 

It reminded me of a particular day I was heading out to an event and was held up in traffic and it was starting to frustrate me. So what did I do? I came off the bus heading to Ketu, Lagos and made my way trekking through so many shortcuts to the bus stop. It was on my way that I met a friend of mine with whom we I did Pre-degree with, back then in the university. This was someone I had not seen in over 7 years, getting to see him in a time like this. As we exchanged pleasantries like normal longtime buddies will do and many laughter’s here and there, I asked him, “was it destined we would see today?” or maybe there’s a script we are playing out? Cos I felt, what if I had delayed even for 3 minutes? I most likely wouldn’t have gotten the chance to see him that day. And that experience that day was like the highlight of my day. But it came from a quick decision to come off that bus.

Now, try to do an assessment of your own life this very moment. “What if you woke up a little earlier?” “Or what if you delayed your outing for some 10 more minutes? “ “Or you took this other bus instead of the one you did?” “Or you stopped over at a friend’s to checkup before getting to your destination?” I could go on and on, but really would you arrive at the same point you are now, reading this? I am so sure it wouldn’t be. It could be a change in your emotions, your experiences, perhaps you got to meet an old colleague or someone new, or you witnessed something you shouldn’t have, and so many other possible outcomes just from a decision made in a split second.

 Okay, so there are just so many things we have no idea of the outcomes that could have been. And that sums to the many mysteries of life today. The guy who was hit by a truck this morning, what if he delayed some 15 minutes or cancelled his trip? So many things decided positively or negatively just by the slightest of seconds and chances. In all these still lies the beauty of life. The unpredictability of it, the suspense, intrigue and feel of adrenaline rush will each life’s turns are all what makes life so exciting!

So, beyond all of the ‘what-if’s’ that are we beyond our control, it is still up to us to decide how well we live life, make a mark in the lives of others, how well we utilize time, resources, relationships ( new & pre-existing) ones, and all of these at the end of the day are what will matter and not ‘WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN’.

Tell me, what’s your take home from all these?

Talk to me in the comment section

By the way, it’s the start of a new week. How’s it coming?

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